'Heroic' Boy Fought Off Dad's Ex As She Tried to Kill Him, Police Say

An 8-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero after he fought his father's ex-girlfriend as she allegedly tried to kill the boy, police said

Jacob Soliz-Amaya was sleeping at his home in Cheverly, Md., on Saturday when his father's ex-girlfriend, Helen Newsome, emerged from a hiding place in the home and smothered the boy with a pillow, police said.

"As Jacob starts to fight, he is hit in the head by a dumbbell," Prince George's County Police Capt. Jimmy Simms told ABCNews.com. "He had the mindset to fight for his life and run for help."

Jacob's father had left for work before the attack, Simms said. Another adult was staying in the home with Jacob, he said, however that person's relationship to the boy was unclear.

Jacob ran to a neighbor's house for help and was able to identify Newsome as his attacker, Simms said. Newsome and Jacob's father, Andy Amaya, had dated for "a significant amount of time," Simms said, however he did not know the reason why the couple ended their relationship last week.

Simms credited Jacob's "ability to be forthcoming with the story" as the reason why police were able to arrest Newsome at her home later that morning.

The 8-year-old was treated at a local hospital for head injuries and has been released, police said.

"He's a pretty heroic kid," Simms said.

Newsome has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

According to police, she admitted her involvement in the assault. It was not immediately known whether Newsome has a lawyer.